|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
  
Location: Canada | The buyer post has me wondering what do you consider "sound" in a barrel horse.
We all know that it's not if but when a performance horse will require some form of maintenance so what do you consider "sound" when looking at barrel horses for sale.
Also what do you consider "sane".
I'm interested to hear what other people's opinions are on this matter.
| |
| | |
Regular
Posts: 68
| IMHO Sound means no navicular or sore heels, no lesions, no suspensory issues. I dont mind joint maintenance if it comes with xrays to compare to that have no change. I EXPECT my vet to tell me about RISK when examining a horse. There is no such thing as a perfect performance horse.
Sane would mean broke to work off hind end, move shoulder, bend/flex all while slow working . A CONSISTENT barrel pattern all the time, no drama on certain barrels. Better stay broke during warm up/slow work at show. Excited at gate is fine. I have no problem treating or maintaining a performance horse for ulcers. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| My opinion:
Sound means pass a lameness exam, flexion texts, and have clean x rays and ultrasounds, no bone spurs or chips, no ligament issues, etc. The horse may require maintenance such as injections, supplements or whatever but that's pretty much standard in the performance world.
Sane means that you can get on the horse, warm them up without them acting a fool, rearing up, lunging, alley sour, etc. I don't mind one being on the muscle and ready to run, but I will not tolerate one that acts like a dangerous moron in or out of the arena. I can even handle one that gets a little prancy during warmup, most of them do, but there's a difference between being controllable and dangerous. Everyone has their preferences and what they will or will not tolerate. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | babbsywabbsy - 2016-06-23 10:59 AM
My opinion:
Sound means pass a lameness exam, flexion texts, and have clean x rays and ultrasounds, no bone spurs or chips, no ligament issues, etc. The horse may require maintenance such as injections, supplements or whatever but that's pretty much standard in the performance world.
Sane means that you can get on the horse, warm them up without them acting a fool, rearing up, lunging, alley sour, etc. I don't mind one being on the muscle and ready to run, but I will not tolerate one that acts like a dangerous moron in or out of the arena. I can even handle one that gets a little prancy during warmup, most of them do, but there's a difference between being controllable and dangerous. Everyone has their preferences and what they will or will not tolerate.
Using the AAEP score of 0-5 what would you consider a pass on a flexion or vet check?
| |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | When considering a horse for sale that is already running and competing I consider anything that is a 2 or less on the AAEP scale to be a pass and I'd buy it.
| |
| | |
Regular
Posts: 68
| You asked about what one would consider "passing" a flexion test.. I think the most important question is WHY did that horse not flex well. There are WAY too many variables as to why a horse wouldn't flex well. From my experience, you have to be ready to put a lot of money into a PPE if you like the horse. I have seen horses flex horrible that you would never suspect would, get some maintenance and continue to win win win. I could write about this all day long, wish I had the time. You HAVE to find out what the problem is and make a decisions based on the finding and how does the horse respond to treatment/maintenance regime. I have seen xrays/ultrasounds that don't reflect the way a horse moves and performs. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| RunNitroRun - 2016-06-23 11:15 AM
When considering a horse for sale that is already running and competing I consider anything that is a 2 or less on the AAEP scale to be a pass and I'd buy it.
I agree. I am not a vet, but if I am looking at a horse to buy I really don't like to see anything over a 2. I don't want it consistent under all circumstances. Most of them will limp off after a flexion test if you hold it long enough but then work themselves out of it after a stride or two which is pretty normal. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| babbsywabbsy - 2016-06-23 10:59 AM
My opinion:
Sound means pass a lameness exam, flexion texts, and have clean x rays and ultrasounds, no bone spurs or chips, no ligament issues, etc. The horse may require maintenance such as injections, supplements or whatever but that's pretty much standard in the performance world.
Sane means that you can get on the horse, warm them up without them acting a fool, rearing up, lunging, alley sour, etc. I don't mind one being on the muscle and ready to run, but I will not tolerate one that acts like a dangerous moron in or out of the arena. I can even handle one that gets a little prancy during warmup, most of them do, but there's a difference between being controllable and dangerous. Everyone has their preferences and what they will or will not tolerate.
I would pretty much say this. I dont want to get them home and 6 months or a year later they can no longer compete because of issues. Thats what will break your heart, and the bank! | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | Bump for other opinions :) | |
| | |
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 428
Location: God's country | Stifle issues and significant navicular changes would be something that would cause me to pass on a horse. I like them to move off my leg easily, take leads, break at the poll etc. Just basically a good handle on them. I will pass on one with ultra spookiness and alley problems. Had both and didn't realize it until the deals were done, they were a real pain to deal with. | |
| | |
 Saint Stacey
| It depends on what I'm comfortable dealing with. For example:
1) Navicular- is it true navicular? Or is it man made? If man made, how easy can I fix it by getting the foot balanced?
2) Flexion tests - how much of a career has the horse had? How well was it maintained? What will it take to get them better?
I just look at everything on a case by case basis, determine what I can and can't deal with, ask myself if it's worth it and if I could ever get my money back if it didn't work out. I've had people buy horses others have run away from and they've never regretted the decision.
Sane - again I ask myself why a lot. Why does the horse act like this? How long has it been going on? Can I fix it? Is it in the horses best interest to be a barrel horse?
I've decided there are a lot of stupid people out there that ruin nice horses because of that stupidity. I'd be a blithering mess too if someone ran me 10 times a day and was constantly thumping on me. A high percentage of crazy horses are that way as a Self Preservation Mechanism. I'm willing to put up with a lot for the right horse providing it doesn't want to kill me or itself. I won't take on one that rears. That just isn't my cup of tea. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 865
| Reester - 2016-06-23 10:44 AM
IMHO Sound means no navicular or sore heels, no lesions, no suspensory issues. I dont mind joint maintenance if it comes with xrays to compare to that have no change. I EXPECT my vet to tell me about RISK when examining a horse. There is no such thing as a perfect performance horse.
Sane would mean broke to work off hind end, move shoulder, bend/flex all while slow working . A CONSISTENT barrel pattern all the time, no drama on certain barrels. Better stay broke during warm up/slow work at show. Excited at gate is fine. I have no problem treating or maintaining a performance horse for ulcers.
I second this. Well said. | |
| |
| |
Folks on-line